EC (electrical conductivity) measures dissolved mineral salts in water. It is a direct window into what your plant roots are actually receiving.
0.8–2.2
Typical EC range (mS/cm)
1 mS/cm
= 1000 µS/cm
Every feed
Recommended check frequency
Why EC matters
EC tells you three things at once:
- How much feed the plant is actually getting
- Whether you are underfeeding (slow growth) or overfeeding (nutrient burn)
- Whether your routine is producing consistent results
Ideal EC ranges by growth stage
Nutrient needs change as the plant grows. These ranges apply across soil, coco, and hydro systems.
| Stage | EC (mS/cm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early veg | 0.8 – 1.2 | Light feeding. Berkana at 0.5 g/L. |
| Late veg | 1.2 – 1.6 | Increase strength gradually. |
| Early flower | 1.6 – 2.0 | Add Uruz if calcium demand is high. |
| Peak flower | 1.8 – 2.2 | Maintain strength. Monitor uptake. |
| Final phase | 0.4 or below | Clean water or Jera for gentle support. |
Medium matters
Soil buffers EC naturally. Use these ranges as guidelines. In hydro and coco, plants react faster to EC changes. Be more precise and check more often.
How to measure and adjust
Measuring
- Use a reliable digital EC meter. Calibrate regularly.
- Test both your nutrient mix and runoff.
- Note the value and compare it to your target.
Always measure EC after mixing in all nutrients and adjusting pH.
Adjusting
- Too low: Add more Berkana gradually (up to 1 g/L).
- Too high: Dilute with clean water.
- Runoff EC high: Flush lightly, then resume balanced feeding.
Common EC mistakes
MISTAKE
Overfeeding seedlings with high EC
Skipping runoff checks
Using an uncalibrated meter
FIX
Start light at 0.5 g/L. Scale up.
Test input and runoff every feed.
Calibrate monthly. Replace if drift persists.
Why Druid products make EC simpler
- Berkana is pre-balanced and dry. Less risk of EC spikes from over-mixing.
- Uruz provides calcium without disrupting EC balance.
- Jera supports clean finishes in late-stage growth.
- All Druid products are pH-stable (5.5 to 7) and dissolve cleanly in any water source.
EC and pH work together. pH controls nutrient availability. EC controls nutrient strength. Both matter. Monitor both.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the growth stage. Seedlings need 0.4 to 0.8 EC. Vegetative growth needs 0.8 to 1.4 EC. Flowering peaks at 1.6 to 2.4 EC. These ranges assume source water at 0.3 EC.
No. EC measures nutrient concentration. pH measures acidity. Both matter, but Berkana buffers pH to 5.5 to 7.5 automatically, so most growers only need to track EC.
Measure every time you mix a new batch of nutrient solution. In recirculating hydro systems, check daily as EC drifts over time.
Any digital EC meter accurate to 0.1 mS/cm works. Budget options under 20 euros are sufficient. Calibrate with solution monthly.